NBA Chat With Stephen Brotherston 2/27/12

Join HOOPSWORLD’s Stephen Brotherston for his weekly NBA chat covering the Toronto Raptors and all things NBA every Monday at 3pm ET.

All-Star is over, let the trade rumors start to fly!

Get your comments and questions in now.

  1. DeRozan

    does BC really think a lineup of jose-demar-chandler-bargs-jonas good enough to compete in the ever improving east next yr plz tell me he has a better plan then that with that lineup it looks like an 8th seed every year with an early exit at the hands of the heat for the foreseeable future

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Welcome to the chat

      It’s going to be a fun couple of weeks coming up!

      Things are always improving – every year

      Coach Casey likes Jose a lot – not just as an okay PG but as his experienced guy who provides stability to a young roster.

      The guy who currently provides the most concern is DeMar at the 2 – can he step up his defense and become more consistent on offense. The team is still supporting him big time but he needs to show that he has another level to his game – DeMar is still “college-age” so if the Raptors coaches and GM believe in him – I guess we have to roll with that.

      Jonas will be a rookie – I believe he’ll bring a lot and bring it sooner than promised – but he’ll still be a rookie.

      And don’t forget there’s a high draft pick coming and 1 or 2 significant FA moves to be made – there is no assurances what you have there will be the starting line-up next season.

      Raps get 8th next season – sign me up!

  2. Vlad

    Do you think Milwaukee would be interested in such package: Beasley, Wes, Milicic, Miller, Luke for Bogut and Jax. Salaries match pretty close. Plus MN could substitute Luke with Ellington or Randolph if Milwaukee wants.
    MN would have the best front court rotation in NBA and Milwaukee get young players and salary relieve.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I think they’d be more likely to be interested in Williams and Pekovic to start – they aren’t going to be excited about taking cast offs.

  3. Vlad

    Do you think Jax would be a good fit for MN: he is a great defender when stimulated and would do fine with Adelman IMO. MN could get him very cheap and it fills the need.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I am not letting Jax anywhere near that young team. The coach might be okay – its everyone else I’d worry about.

  4. Alex in Burbank

    Who says no? Cleveland gets Lakers $8.9 million exception, Orlando gets Paul Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Matt Barnes, Lakers get Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Hedu Turkaglu and Ramon Session.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Cleveland is fighting for a playoff spot and has huge cap space for next season – so they aren’t interested. Lakers need a PG – but will have to look elsewhere

  5. mojart

    the hornets are stockpiling former 1st rd picks(henry,vasquez,aminu) how abt kaman and jack to POR for oden and felton?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Oden is probably done – how many surgeries can one guy have and still hope to play again? Kaman is an expiring deal already

      Jack for Felton? hard to see why they’d bother.

  6. jonel

    will a ben gordon for beasley and randolph gud trade for both teams?i think beasley wil b gud for detroi…remember those bad boys….^^,

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I was talking to the Pistons media group before the game in Toronto – they’d like to see Ben Gordon moved for anything.

      But Ben is owed $12.4m for next season and then its a team option – a little expensive, but if the Wolves could get a deal done without giving up any core pieces, they should take the chance – BG can still score and on a new team he might just find renewal and put the Wolves in the playoffs.

      Go for it – take the risk.

  7. jullia

    3 team trade
    hornets-favors, harris, oden
    jazz-jack,batum POR pick and future picks from nola
    blazers-kaman
    wil stern vetoed dis trade as the owner of the bees or wil he approved dis?thanks….

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I don’t see NOH giving up any picks – but you’ve got their interest with Favors on the table.

      Batum – not going anywhere

      It will never get to Stern if the deal costs picks.

  8. bhagdeep

    Hey Stephen,
    The raptors have the biggest hole in their roster at SF and PG. What do you think about a trade between Toronto and Milwaukee where Raptors trade Calderon, James Johnson and an unprotected 2013 first round pick for Brandon Jennings and Stephen Jackson? We get a great young point guard in Jennings who would fit in with our core and we can absorb Jackson’s contract and personality that the bucks are looking to move. They get an asset in Calderon and a future draft pick along with a young piece in JJ. What do you think?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I would say the Raps biggest holes are at SG & C – and center looks good for next season. I wouldn’t want to acquire SJ at all – not sure about Jennings, but there are signs he is starting to figure things out.

  9. murray

    What in your opinion was the worse move BC has made for thar Raptors to date, Mine is exstending TJ ford Prematurely, their was no reason to,he should have waited till the end of the season i think we would had a better chance to keep that group togather

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Trading for Jermaine O’Neal – that was a high risk/high reward move that backfired.

  10. Vlad

    Why is KOBE SO OVER-RATED! Is it LA thing?
    Kobe missed two of his last shots with the airball and one of the crucial FTs that would put West up by 4 points in the last seconds. Still he was called the closer in the article about All-Star game.
    I am not sure if there are too many people on the all-star roster that I would like less then Kobe taking the last shot.
    Kobe is the most OVER-RATED CLOSER. 16-51 ON HIS SHOTS IN THE FINAL 5 SECONDS in his career..
    I ALWAYS WANT KOBE TO TAKE THE FINAL SHOT AGAINST MY TEAM.
    If you disagree, could you explain how a NBA player could be worse then 16 of 51? It looks more like WILLING to shoot vs ABLE to make shots.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Over-hyped not over-rated. Kobe is a great player who is not afraid to fail – every team needs someone to take that role and relish it.

      A meaningful shot in the last few seconds of a game is the toughest and should be the best defended.

  11. laker fan

    can they pull it off?? http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6v96qlv with a 1st rd pick too!

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lakers are not getting Lowry – it really doesn’t matter how many flaming hoops they jump through.

  12. Wilson

    With Jonas coming in ready to contribute next year, who is the eventual odd man out in the Raps rotation, Ed Davis or Andrea?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Look for a 4-man rotation next year to start – Ed and Amir fighting to hang onto their minutes as Jonas shows how many he can play effectively. Andrea 36 minutes plus.

  13. Gery

    Steven, Why would nash go to Orlando if D12 is out after this year…thats a dumb rumor. Howards is best suited to go to NJ and bigger players than him took less money to win so he should too if he wants to win.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Nash can be traded – he says he’ll do whatever the team asks of him. Suns will want a lot back – Magic offers what?? sure – dumb rumor

      I kind of like Dallas for Dwight (and Williams)

      I believe we’ll find out the real “secret plan” Williams was referring to in June – whatever that is.

  14. JM

    Raptors seem to be very serious about getting Chandler, and are willing to dump LB, and over pay him(only way Denver doesn’t match).He is a good 5-7th guy on a good team. But do they really need another OK wing – they already have DD, JJ, LK, and 2012 Draft pick. What is Bryan thinking?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Colangelo seems to like Chandler – but it doesn’t really matter – Chandler is not going to get his FIBA clearance in time for him to sign anywhere but Denver and Denver is going to offer him a good long term deal and he’ll sign it.

      I can see James Johnson developing into an equally good player by the end of this season anyway. So – No – they don’t really need Chandler (unless he got a lot better by playing in China – seems unlikely)

  15. JM

    Are the talk about trading Jose for real? There are really 2 options:
    1) As Casy said, Raptors aren’t moving him, and the media is just making stuff up
    2) Raptors have already made up thier mind to move him, and Casy is just trying to bum up him market value.
    That’s the only way you can explain rumors like the Orland-LA-Raptors trade.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Are there teams who could use Jose – sure.

      Are the Raptors likely to get someone that Casey will value as highly in trade – not likely.

      Raptors haven’t made up their minds but there are no safe jobs – Colangelo will trade anybody for the right deal this year.

      Trade rumors – every team is starting to talk – and some teams will be deliberately leaking info to see if they can stir stuff up to get a deal done. Fun times for us!

  16. alan

    Any way that the bulls could pry paul george from indy after the season? maybe asik, a first and ronnie? he would be an incredible addition as a big 2 with size to guard threes that can create.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Hardest guy to pry from any team is that young guy on a rookie deal that the team controls and is believed to have star potential – no chance.

      Bulls will not want to give up Asik very quickly either.

  17. Jazzfan

    What are your thoughts on the dunk contest? as a Jazz fan I was excited to see Jeremy Evans win and I thought his two ball dunk over Gordon Hayward was the best of the night and loved his tribute to Karl Malone, although if Derrick Williams had been able to stick his last dunk he would’ve had my vote as winner, overall I wasnt impressed with the contest but at the same time what can really be done to make it better? people say props are ruining it but without the props there are maybe a handful of dunks that havent already been done a million times you know?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Dunk contest was okay – the dunks during the All-Star game were better, but those guys won’t participate.

  18. charry

    Is Michael Kidd Gilchrist a good fit to Toronto? Is it worth it to give up Barbosa for Wilson Chandler? What do you think about Raptors future with the current players they have right now? Thanks

    • Stephen Brotherston

      MKG could be a good fit – lets see how he does in the tournament first. How these very young guys perform in the conference championships and the tournament will speak volumes about how ready they are to move on to the next level.

      I think the Raps are okay at F – need more help at SG – so I’d rather keep Leandro and draft a G than add Chandler.

      I like what Colangelo has done with the roster this year.

  19. rey

    Hey Stephen, love your chats !

    Do you see The Toronto Raptors clearing cap space for Wilson Chandler ?
    And also if not Chandler do you see the raps pursuing someone else at the 3 spot before the trade deadline ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Chandler has 1 day to get FIBA clearance or the only team he can sign with is Denver – he’ll be signing with Denver.

      In the off season, Raps don’t need more cap space to sign any 1 FA – they are looking a $10-20m in available cap space, depending.

  20. pinas fun

    How u doin? Anyways its gettin noist down in toronto. Allbhype or there really a shake up soon?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Don’t expect a big shake up – that’s not what this season was about

      This was a tryout season for next year – now if the right player comes available – Colangelo will trade everybody – Not very likely.

  21. burger with eggs

    How come no one critizes torontos management. They drafted soso.. not been in the playoffs and the only good mood they did was a recent hire of a good coach. All eyes are at otis smith. I hope toronto d best too

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Drafting has been okay – based on where they picked in the draft. I have no complaints. Coach Casey was a great move.

      I really miss the playoffs though.

      That O’Neal trade still bother me……

  22. SenseiOfSoul - Chicago

    Hi Stephen, love your chats.

    I know four-team trades are rare, but I have a radical idea, that could help all teams involved.

    LAL gets: Milsap, G.Wallace, Luke Ridnour
    POR gets: Al Jefferson
    MIN gets: Pau Gasol
    UTA gets: Derrick Williams and Beasley

    Here’s the rationale: LA’s asking price for Pau is pretty high. They want All-star(s) in return and a PG. Also, Kobe’s title window is closing – and DH12 is unlikely. MIN wants Gasol to team with Rubio – But with the emergence of Pekovic he now joins the list of “untouchables” (Love and Rubio). The Lakers are not going to take back 18 Million worth of garbage. Gerald Wallce wants to test FA and POR has to re-sign Batum. POR also needs a frontcourt mate for Aldridge because Oden is done and Camby is old. Utah is playing well right now, but Jefferson and Milsap are not their future. They should completely turn the reigns over to Kanter and Favors, and get out of Big Al’s contract so they have flexibility to build around their young core.

    Laker’s title run starting 5 – Bynum, Milsap, Wallace, Bryant, Ridnour

    New look Blazers – Jefferson, Aldridge, Batum, Matthews/Williams, Felton

    New Look T-Wolves – Gasol/Pekovic, Love, Webster, W.Johnson, Rubio

    Jazz youth movement – Kanter, Favors, D.Williams/Beasley, Alec Burks, D. Harris/Watson

    Salaries work. Waddya think?

    http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=6qsxoom

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Its hard enough to do 2 team trades – I admire the effort here.

      Would think Minny isn’t going to let go of both Bease & Williams – same position/type of player – and they looking for a SG, but you are hitting on hot buttons for each team.

      But someone is going to say no in any deal this complex.

  23. manila toda

    At first j thought kobe n cp3 cant play together. Yesterday cp3 made a comment that if he was a laker they would be unbeatable. And last night cp and kobe prove they can co exist. How was the scene yesterday if u where at orlando?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Don’t see why Kobe couldn’t play with an All-Star PG who will pass him the ball.

      HW was well represented but we have guys closer to Orlando than Toronto.

  24. ced

    Hi Stephen, big Pacers fan here, which player do you see being drop for cap space at the deadline and which one do you see the Pacers pick. thanks;

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Pacers are at risk of owing the league a cheque for being too far under the cap now – they need to add more salary.

      Their issue is their team chemistry is good and they are hesitant to risk screwing it up.

      They could use another SG if one comes available.

  25. rapluva

    is there anything bad written about a team having too many quality big men? The raptors have a decent amount of big men on their current roster and then add in Jonas Val. and we have:
    - Jonas
    - Bargnani
    - Amir Johnson
    - Ed Davis
    - Aaron Gray

    now only if we could get some wings to go with that??

    Which big man is worth on the open market today that the Raps will be willing to trade out of town, your thoughts?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      There is nothing bad about having 5 big men that you are not afraid to actually play.

      Especially with a rookie next year, a 4 man rotation makes sense.

      Right now, if the Raps want to move a big in the off season, it is probably Amir or Ed. Aaron fits as a reserve as opposed to a rotation guy right now – but that could be changing before our eyes – half a season to go.

  26. ced

    Stephen, do you see Barbosa being traded to the Pacers for cap space, I think he would be perfect as an offensive booster from the bench.

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Barbosa is an expiring deal – no need to trade him for cap space. And Yes – he’d be a big help to the Pacers, so they’d have to give up something.

  27. Josh

    a couple of hoopsworld writers like this trade, what do you think?

    Millsap, Harris, bell for rondo and oneal

    • Stephen Brotherston

      I understand the deal but – Rondo is by far the best player and Boston isn’t getting enough back.

  28. Mistro Scally Barber

    What’s the latest scuttlebutt on the T-Wolves activity? Kevin Martin? Nic Batum? Ray Allen? Are they close with anything?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Nothing seems close.

      Trades always start out with you take my scraps and I get your player – but they usually don’t end that way – unless there’s money problems.

      It will not be a surprise if the Wolves get their SG – and they’ll have to part with a real player to do it.

  29. Brandon

    As a Nuggets fan, when can we expect a decision on Chandler? And where does he end up playing and what kind of deal is he signing?

  30. Gary

    Can Barbosa or Bayless or Calderon be flipped for a first round pick ? Would there be a market for them ?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      Lottery picks are gold this year! Later picks – Raps will have 2 rookies next year and don’t really need/want 3.

  31. Keith

    When will Andrea be back to playing?

  32. Stephen Brotherston

    I don’t know why Dumars brought back the unhappy vets when he had his chance to clean house and start over – that’s what I was recommending in HW preseason preview of the Pistons. I know the talent is there – it just wasn’t working before and I don’t know why he thought it could work now.

  33. charry

    Who is the best shooting guard available for the raptors before the trade deadline? Who is the best shooting guard in the coming draft that will suit the needs of Raptors?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      That’s all for today
      Thanks for all the great comments and questions

      Shooting guard is a commodity that’s in demand right now – really available for a good price – probably none – too much demand.

      In the draft – I like Jeremy Lamb, Uconn – but Bradley Beal, Florida could be better

  34. Dre

    Do u think OKC will address backup Pg or their ok with the rookie Reggie Jackson?

    • Stephen Brotherston

      When you are winning – there isn’t a lot of pressure to do much of anything

  35. Clinton

    Gun to your head, what new player will be wearing a Rockets jersey March 16th?

  36. Gord Downie

    Do you see Raps going after a low-post scorer like a Kaman/Scola to pair up with Andrea until Jonas is good enough to be that guy?